William (Billy) McNutt played professional basketball in Europe before joining the RCMP in 2021. The suspended officer is accused of sexually assaulting three women between July 2019 and May 2024. Photo by File photoArticle contentA Nova Scotia RCMP officer has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman he knew in May 2024, after he had been suspended pending an investigation into other allegations of criminal conduct.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Serious Incident Response Team announced the charge against Const. William (Billy) McNutt, 40, of Lantz in June of this year.Article contentArticle contentLawyer Steve Degen entered the not-guilty plea Monday in Shubenacadie provincial court on behalf of McNutt, who was not present.Article contentArticle contentJudge Ian Hutchison scheduled McNutt’s trial on the charge for Aug. 6, 2026.Article contentMcNutt also faces two other trials involving different women.Article contentIn November, he will go on trial in Shubenacadie on four counts of sexual assault and single counts of overcoming resistance by choking and uttering threats, all involving the same woman.Article contentThose offences were allegedly committed in Enfield between Dec. 31, 2022, and Feb. 9, 2023, while McNutt was off duty.Article contentMcNutt was a member of the East Hants detachment until January 2024, when he was suspended after a woman alleged she had been sexually assaulted in early 2023 by an officer she knew.Article contentRCMP referred the matter to SIRT, which opened an investigation. SIRT announced in July 2024 that McNutt had been charged with three counts of sexual assault and single counts of overcoming resistance by choking and uttering threats.Article contentArticle contentMcNutt had been scheduled to have a two-day trial on those five charges this October, but SIRT laid the fourth sexual assault charge involving that woman this July. His trial is now set for Nov. 12, Dec. 19, Dec. 22 and, if necessary, Jan. 12.Article contentIn November 2024, Cumberland County RCMP laid two charges of sexual assault against McNutt. The offences were allegedly committed against a woman in Northport, Cumberland County on July 31, 2019, more than two years before McNutt joined the Mounties.Article contentA December 2024 RCMP news release said the complainant had met McNutt through mutual friends a couple of weeks before the alleged incidents.Article contentMcNutt’s trial on the Northport accusations is scheduled for Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 in Amherst provincial court.Article contentThe six-foot-eight McNutt grew up in Cumberland County and played professional basketball in Europe before joining the RCMP in 2021.Article contentAssistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, commanding officer of the RCMP in Nova Scotia, released a statement this summer saying McNutt was suspended without pay.Article contentDaley said the charges against McNutt were “extremely alarming and distressing.”Article contentMcNutt is free on undertakings to officers with either SIRT or the RCMP that forbid him from having contact with the complainants and other potential Crown witnesses. At least one of the undertakings says he must remain in Canada.Article content
Suspended Nova Scotia RCMP officer pleads not guilty to sexual assault charge
